Visiting the USA in August

The U.S. is a huge country with many places that are perfect to explore during the month of August. If you’re dreaming of mountains, forests, deserts, rivers or oceans, you’ll find that the opportunities for outdoor adventure are many and varied.

The options for family fun in the U.S. are legendary. The cities are exciting; each one has a unique culture and character. August is also an active month for festivals and fairs.

Holidays With the Kids
Of course, everyone knows that Disney World and the Epcot Center in Florida are good places to visit with the kids. For a different experience, explore U.S. history in Philadelphia or Washington D.C. or enjoy the over-the-top family friendly amenities in Las Vegas. The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the MGM Grand, New York New York, The Mirage, the Excalibur and Paris Las Vegas all offer child-friendly features and entertainment.

Great Couples Breaks
From shining cities with world class restaurants, live music and vibrant neighbourhoods to winery tours to music festivals, the U.S. has much to offer couples in August. Explore Portland, Chicago, New York or San Francisco. Tour the wineries of the Napa or Sonoma Valley by bike. If you’re ready for a wild ride, attend the Burning Man music festival in Nevada. Lollapalooza is now based in Chicago’s Grant Park, so you can combine a music festival with a city break. If you prefer a more sedate music scene, consider the American Folk Festival in Maine or Elvis Week in Memphis. Alternatively, attend one of the many Renaissance Festivals or State Fairs. You’ll love the fun activities and the opportunity to explore local culture.

Explore the Outdoors
While city breaks and elaborate tourist attractions are great options in August, the summer is when the natural beauty of the northern states really shines. Visit one of the mountain ranges near the east or west coast and climb, hill walk or mountain bike your way across the stunningly beautiful landscape. Take advantage of the summer weather to explore the outdoors in the Great Lakes region. Camping, canoeing, fishing and sailing are just a few of the options.

Have a canoeing and backpacking adventure in the 1500 square mile expanse of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. The Boundary Waters is a network of lakes, rivers and bogs that extend west from Lake Superior and form a natural border between the U.S. and Canada. In the Boundary Waters, you can immerse yourself in a pristine wilderness. Connect with one of the many outfitters and spend a week or two exploring it by canoe.

Or, google “car hire USA” and spend a week car camping at Michigan’s Pictured Rocks or Tahquamenon Falls. Pack the boot with a large tent, a cooler and cooking gear and enjoy the forests like a local. The campsites are equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. There’s fresh, high quality well water available from pumps. There are plenty of easy to moderate hiking trails, and Tahquamenon Falls even has its own brewpub.

Alternately, visit Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands and sea kayak to an isolated island campsite. You might be the only human beings on the island, and you’ll find that the local animals are fearless and photogenic. Look for outfitters in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Many of them offer sea kayaking lessons. Alternatively, there are ferries that visit the larger islands regularly.

Don’t Let the Heat Take You By Surprise
Many Brits will find the temperatures in the U.S., even the northern U.S., during August uncomfortably hot. The north central part of the country has a seasonal climate the swings to extremes, and the south is often over 35°C during the summer. Be sure to research the expected temperature and humidity at your destination before planning outdoor activities. However, don’t let the midsummer heat stop you. The U.S. has much to offer in August. Also remember to arrange your visas online before going; plenty of sites to assist you with this similar to how esta helps those in Norway. Once that’s out of the way, go enjoy the trip of a lifetime!